The eraserheads reunion concert last Saturday night (Aug. 30) at Bonifacio Global City Open Field was short cut after lead singer Ely Buendia suffered emotional and physical stress. Ely was rushed to the Makati Medical Center, where he was reported to be in stable condition. 
Opening Song: Alapaap
More than 10 songs were played to eager fans at The Fort and around 9:30 p.m. the band took a 30-minute break. Forty minutes later, Buendia’s sister went up to the stage to break the sad news.
Eraserheads Reunion Concert Result, Photos and Videos
Wowowee Live in Winnipeg, Canada!!!
Good news to all the fans of ABS-CBN's Wowowee coz they will visit you there!!!
Watch Wowowee Live in Winnipeg, Canada on September 28, 2008, 3 P.M.
at MTS Centre.
at MTS Centre.
For tickets, pls. visit www.ticketmaster.com
Family Problems
Two men met at a bus stop and struck up a conversation.
One of them kept complaining of family problems.
Finally the other man said: "You think you have family problems?
Listen to my situation:
A few years ago I met a young widow with a grown up daughter.
We got married and I got myself a step-daughter.
Later, my father married my step-daughter.
That made my step daughter my step-mother. And my father became my step-son.
Also my wife became mother-in-law of her father-in-law.
Much later the daughter of my wife, my step-mother, had a son.
This boy was my half brother because he was my father's son.
But he was also the son of my wife's daughter which made him my wife's grand-son.
That made me the grandfather of my half brother.
This was nothing until my wife and I had a son.
Now the half sister of my son, my step-mother, is also his grandmother.
This makes my father the brother-in-law of my child, whose step-sister is my father's wife.
I am my step-mother' s brother-in-law, my wife is her own child's aunt,
my son is my father's nephew and I am my OWN GRANDFATHER! !!!!!!!!!
And you think you have FAMILY PROBLEMS!!!! !!!!
Tax Evasion case of Judy Ann Santos
The Supreme Court upholds tax evasion case ruling vs. Judy Ann Santos. The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the plea of Judy Ann Santos to reverse and set aside a resolution of the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) which had ordered her arraignment for tax evasion.
In a 27-page decision penned by Justice Minita V. Chico-Nazario, the Court's Third Division said, Santos cannot file a petition to appeal the resolution of the CTA, as it was not appealable.
"The Resolution is interlocutory and, thus, unappealable. Even if her Petition for Review is to be treated as a petition for certiorari, it is dismissible for lack of merit," the High Court said in a statement posted on its website.
Santos had earlier asked the Supreme Court to reverse the June 19, 2006 en banc resolution of the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA).
The CTA, in that resolution, had denied Santos’ motion for extension of time to file petition for review to appeal the resolutions dated February 23, 2006 and May 11, 2006 of the CTA First Division, which had denied her motion to quash the information against her for violation of section 255, in relation to sections 254 and 248(B) of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended, and her subsequent motion for reconsideration, respectively.
The SC clarified that the CTA resolution did not err in denying Santos’ motion for extension of time to file petition for review.
The Court said that the CTA resolution directly addressed the motions raised by Santos, and nothing in the resolution could prove that her motions were rendered unfairly.
Santos, popularly called as Juday, was charged with P6.76-million tax evasion suit by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for failing to declare her real income worth millions in 2002.
The BIR said that Santos only stated about P8 million in earnings in 2002, despite earning almost P16.3 million in talents fees from her projects in ABS-CBN Channel 2, movie companies Viva Productions, Star Cinema and her commercial endorsements.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said, they found probable cause to charge Santos after determining that she underdeclared her 2002 income allegedly by 104 percent.
Santos was charged before the CTA in 2005.
That same year, the CTA First Division issued an arrest warrant against Santos prompting the latter to file a motion to quash the information.
On February 23, 2006, the CTA First Division denied her motion and scheduled her arraignment. Santos filed a motion for reconsideration which the CTA also denied on May 11, 2006.
Under the law, failure to report income amount is an enough ground to make the taxpayer liable for tax evasion charges. The tax evasion suit holds a jail term of two to four years with a fine ranging from P30,000 to P100,000.
Eraserheads Reunion Concert live in The Fort
The Eraserheads Reunion Concert will now be held at The Fort in Taguig City, instead of the CCP open grounds. After much fuss over its sponsors, the much-awaited reunion concert of the Eraserheads will push through, but with some major changes.
In a message received by those on the official mailing list of bands Cambio, Sandwich and Pedicab, Eraserheads drummer Raimund Marasigan over the weekend confirmed that another company has taken over the production of the concert after the tobacco company Philip Morris decided to pull out from the event.
Marasigan also said the event will now be held at The Fort in Taguig City, instead of the CCP open grounds as earlier announced.
“The turnover started yesterday and they have already started work on the site in the Fort. So you can check," Marasigan stated.
With the pullout of Philip Morris from the concert's production, the registration procedures in the Red Nation website have been deemed void and that fans will now have to pay to attend the concert.
He also noted that since the tickets will now be sold, the concert will be open only to those aged 12 years old and above.
Marasigan said the official announcement and ticketing details will come out in major newspapers and radio stations on Tuesday.
And to tickle those waiting for the concert, Marasigan said: “I just got home from the last rehearsal. The band is cooking. We will see you all on the 30th."
Earlier this month, the Department of Health and anti-tobacco group Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance-Philippines warned Philip Morris against sponsoring the event.
Health Undersecretary Alexander Padilla said Philip Morris will be violating Republic Act No. 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 which prohibits cigar companies from sponsoring sports, cultural, and artistic events of individual or team athletes, artists and performers.
"If we are able to show and prove that this concert is actually sponsored by you, by Philip Morris, then we will truly train our guns on you for clearly violating the law," Padilla said in a press conference.
He said the tobacco company cannot argue that they did not violate the law since the contract has been signed before the prohibition on sponsorship of events took effect on July 1, 2008 as stated on Section 26 of RA 9211.
"The company already knew when the prohibition would take effect so if they will try to circumvent that by saying 'we signed the contract before' that will not be acceptable," Padilla said.
The Health Department and tobacco control advocates also appealed to Eraserheads to reject the Philip Morris' sponsorship of its much awaited reunion concert.
Padilla said the popular band, which disbanded in 2002, should disassociate themselves from a cigar company who will be sponsoring their concert.
"With their prestige, they should disassociate themselves to tobacco products which have no value or use. They should heed the law and bring the youth to other productive activities. Tobacco products should not be promoted," Padilla said.
"Considered one of the most influential bands in the country, the Eraserheads has become a role model of sorts for our young. I hope they will rise up to the challenge, do more than play music, and help young Filipinos reach their potential," said Dr. Maricar Limpin of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance-Philippines.
2008 Beijing Olympics Basketball Championship USA vs. Spain
The 2008 Beijing Olympics Basketball Championship USA vs. Spain ends peacefully. Team Spain tried everything to beat USA for the gold but team USA is too strong for them. 
Culminating a three-year mission to end years of embarrassment, the U.S. team survived a huge challenge from Spain, winning 118-107 in the gold-medal game.
After knocking off its first seven foes by an average of more than 30 points, the Americans found themselves in a one-possession game in the fourth quarter against the 2006 World Champions, who had lost to the USA by 37 points in group play but showed plenty of character and heart in this contest. Then the U.S. began displaying some redeeming qualities of its own.
The leader was NBA MVP Kobe Bryant, who simply took over. After Spain closed to 91-89, he made a tough runner, found Deron Williams for a 3-pointer, added another hoop and broke up an alley-oop pass to rebuild the lead to 105-94. When the margin dwindled again to four points, Bryant stuck in the dagger, draining a 3-pointer and drawing a foul for a 108-99 bulge with 3:10 to go.
Dwyane Wade scored 27 points, Bryant added 20 and LeBron James 14 for the U.S., which had not won gold since the 2000 Olympics. The Americans failed to medal at the 2002 World Championships and received bronze at the 2004 Olympics and the 2006 World Championships, prompting an overhaul of USA Basketball.
Rudy Fernandez scored 22 points, Pau Gasol added 21 and Juan Carlos Navarro 18 for Spain, which only lost to the U.S. in this tournament and claimed a silver medal to match its best Olympic showing (1984).
Watch Olympics Closing Ceremony ONline
Beijing Olympics Closing Ceremony Online Coverage
It is anticipated that 1.5Billion people around the world will watch the 2008 Beijing Olympic Closing Ceremony on August 24, 2008 8:00PM China Standard Time (UTC + 
About 7,000 people will perform in the Olympics Closing Ceremony and the Beijing finale will be directed by the Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, who also directed the grandest, amazing Opening Ceremony.
Complete article of the 2008 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony.
President Gloria signed Republic Act 9505 or PERA
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act 9505 or Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) on Friday morning, August 22, 2008. RA 9505 or PERA is an Act Establishing A Provident Personal Savings Plan, aimed at encouraging workers, especially those not covered by the Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), to save for their retirement.
RA 9505 or PERA is a long-overdue bill as it took a decade in the making and was a major capital market reform measure pushed by the financial sector as it allows for tax-free private-pension schemes.
“It is the declared policy of the state to promote capital market development and savings mobilization by establishing a legal and regulatory framework of retirement plans for persons, comprised of voluntary personal savings and investments. The state recognizes the potential contribution of PERA to long-term fiscal sustainability through the provision of long-term financing and reduction of social pension benefits,” RA 9505 states.
The law will not only boost the savings rate but would eventually spur economic growth with the mobilization of more capital available for investments.
The law aims to increase the savings rate by providing tax incentives as more savings translates to more funds for capital formation that will eventually create more businesses and more jobs.
The PERA law was approved by Congress last June 10.
Under the law, a contributor or any person with the capacity to contract and possess a tax identification number, may make an aggregate maximum contribution of P100,000, or its equivalent in any convertible foreign currency to his PERA annually. If the contributor is married, each of the spouses shall be entitled to make a maximum contribution of P100,000 or its equivalent in any currency at the prevailing exchange rates.
Overseas Filipino workers are allowed to a maximum contribution of P200,000 a year.
The law also gives the contributor an income tax credit equivalent to five percent of his total PERA contribution, provided he does not withdraw the funds before age 55. However, if the PERA contribution exceeds the amount prescribed by law, it shall no longer be entitled to a tax credit of five percent.
Moreover, all income earned from the investments and reinvestments of PERA contributions are tax exempt and all distribution of PERA benefits upon maturity shall also be tax exempt.
Contributors can open up to five accounts but with only one administrator, which can be a bank or a financial company. There will be separate custodians of funds and a designated investment manager. Administrators can be investment managers.
The contributions can be invested in mutual or unit investment trust funds, stocks, and other financial products.
Employers can contribute to their employees’ accounts, as long as they pay the required SSS premiums.
Payments may be made when the contributor reaches the age of 55. This can be either in lump sum, a pension for a definite period, or for a lifetime. The account owner may choose to continue his PERA even beyond the age of 55, but complete distribution will be made upon the death of the contributor regardless of age.
Early withdrawals will be subject to a penalty, except in cases when the contributor is totally disabled for more than a month due to an accident or hospitalization.
The Department of Finance (DOF), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Insurance Commission were tasked to craft the measure’s implementing rules.
Sen. Edgardo J. Angara, a principal author of the bill said the country’s savings rate would go up to about 30 percent of gross domestic product, from 19-23 percent, with the signing of the law by the President.
He said the scheme is expected to attract eight million individuals, specifically OFWs, and self-employed individuals or entrepreneurs who are not required to contribute to the SSS and the GSIS.
The signing ceremonies was attended by officials of the Capital Market Development Council, BSP, Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) and Philippine Chamber of Commerce (PCC).
2008 Physician Licensure Examination Top 10
Profession Regulation Commission (PRC) released the 2008 Physician Licensure Examination top 10 early this month. A graduate of the Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation topped the Physician Licensure Examination conducted by the PRC.
With a rating of 88.75 percent, Marlon Diaz Garcia bested over 1,513 who passed the examination given by the Board of Medicine in the cities of Manila, Cebu and Davao. A total of 2,506 graduates took the examination.
The top ten passers are:
2. Dave Anthony Pasetes Diomampo of the Saint Louis University - 88.17%
3. Gentry George Teng King of the University of Santo Tomas and Janice Jill Keng Lao of the University of the Philippines-Manila - 87.42%
4. Nemencio Jr Reyes Ronquillo, UP-Manila, and Paolo Potato Villanueva of the University of Santo Tomas - 87.17%
5. Allan Louie Espino Cruz, UST- 86.92%
6. Philip Blanco Antiporta, UST - 86.58%
7. Ma Cristina Dela Cruz Briones, UST - 86.42%
8. Lemuel Benedict Robleza Non, UP-Manila, and Sheila Jane Tan Zanoria, Cebu Institute of Medicine - 86.17%
9. Angela Sacayan Apostol, University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, and Karel Ann Alipasa Espejo, UP-Manila - 86.08%
10. Grace Ann Mariano Nicolas, UST- 86.00%
To view the full list of successful examinees, please click HERE
Barangay Ginebra claims Fiesta Cup 2008
Ginebra ends Air21's title hopes, Barangay Ginebra claims Fiesta Cup 2008.
There was an eerie silence the moment Chris Alexander limped toward the Ginebra bench, grimacing in pain, his hand holding his quadricep. Then, there was even more concern when he was called for his fifth foul early in the fourth quarter.
But instead of losing hope, Ginebra only got better.
Alexander survived the game, Erik Menk played like the old Erik Menk, and Ronald Tubid scored 22 points as Ginebra swatted Air21’s first-ever title aspirations, posting a 97-84 win in Game 7 Wednesday to nail down its eighth franchise crown in winning the Smart-Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference at the packed Araneta Coliseum.
Alexander played on the edge of fouling out with 10:37 left in the game but gallantly held on to stand at Ginebra’s frontline of defense, holding the Express without a field goal in the last 4:27 while coming through with 14 unanswered points and giving coach Jong Uichico his 8th title.
“Every championship means a lot, whether it’s your first, your eighth," said Uichico. “Its hard to explain how we won the series, but the important thing is that you keep on trying."
Uichico, who has the highest winning percentage among the active coaches, became only the 5th coach to win more than one title on two different teams. This is the second time that he had steered Ginebra to the title after the 2006-07 Philippine Cup after guiding San Miguel Beer to six crowns.
Menk and Tubid were named co-Finals MVPs. This was the third time that the man they call ‘Major Pain’ has achieved the award, while the honor was the first for Tubid, who came into this series doubtful whether he can play after disclocating his left ankle last July 4 in the elimination round.
Menk finished with 21 points – eight coming the third quartr -- and pulled down 14 rebounds while Tubid had a series-high 22 points including a flawless 11-of-11 from the free throw line.
Game Six will be the one that will bother Air21 the most, a game where it lost a 16-point lead and throwing its chances of ending a six-year title drought or since entering the league in 2002.
But the team that finished No. 1 after the eliminations still had that opportunity last night, coming back from a 13-point deficit in the third quarter (65-52) and snatching the lead at 84-83 on a follow-up by Arwind Santos.
That, however, was the last field goal the Express could connect for the night, reflecting that they still have a lot of maturing to do when it comes to the big stage.
“We were not ready for the impact of the crowd Ginebra brought into the championships," said Air21 coach Bo Perasol. “There are a lot of times we were about to win, but they were able to turn the tide to their favor. But overall, I think we did pretty well."
Steven Thomas led the Express with 24 points, and Santos added 19 points, six rebounds and four steals. Gary David contributed 18 points, shooting 4 of 6 from the three-point range.
It was a victory that, at times, was hard to contemplate for a team that lost Helterbrand in Game 2 (hamstring). Mark Caguioa, who finished with 13 points, then was slowed down by knee tendonities before Paul Artadi also got hurt because of a hamstring pull.
During the game, Junthy Valenzuela also got hurt (knee tendonities) and did not return after hitting the bench with 2:10 remaining in the third quarter.
Somehow, the Gin Kings managed to survive. And that was all because of their spirit.
“The players deserve the credit despite the deficiencies," said Uichico. “We could have easily given up when the players got hurt, but we did not."
The Gin Kings were fortunate to hang on to a 49-46 lead after the first half despite missing 11 free throws (12 of 23) and giving away 16 turnover points to the Express, who were called for 2 flagrant fouls (penalty 1) and a pair of technical fouls.
Ginebra, though, had more second chance points, 14-4.
Ronald Tubid came off the bench to score 12 points in the first half for the Gin Kings, who led largest at 28-21 on a basket by Paul Artadi 18 seconds into the second quarter.
The Express, who in Game 6 had the best start in the series by storming to a 14-0 spread, countered to tie the count at 29 on a triple from Santos.
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